The Very Large Array Visitor Center

Should be on everyone's Bucket List. Especially those with a strong science gene. Twice a year they have Open House Tours and Lectures, but they are open year round for quiet individual visits. Do you know why they are in this location in New Mexico? Do you know what they do and why? Do you know their future?

A must see if driving in New Mexico, check hours they close around 430pm. Worth the historic knowledge.

Super cool site. I've visited a few times now and would recommend any astronomy/science nerd make a point to do the same.Note that the hours have changed (Thurs-Sun, 9 to 4) and advance tickets are required. Which was a bummer this time because we stopped by on a Wednesday only to find it closed to visitors.

I was disappointed that the gift shop was closed. When I arrived, there was a sign taped to the door saying it is closed until October 21 in preparation for an open house event. I was on my way to Albuquerque and made plans to detour to the VLA to get something from the gift shop before continuing on my trip. I called the gift shop a couple of times this past week to see if they were going to be open (the last time I was here it was also closed) but nobody answered the phone. The automated message listed off the operating hours for the site but made no mention of the gift shop closure. I had checked the website beforehand and it didn't say anything about it either. I even looked at the NRAO Facebook page.

Bucket List stuff right here lady's & gents Each dish 27 of them is 82 feet in diameter, weighs in @ 230 tons, and is mounted on railroad tracks which allow easier repositioning. The resolution is set by the size of the array. At the highest resolution, it could see a golf ball 100 miles away. Astronomers using the VLA have made key observations of black holes and protoplanetary disks around young stars, discovered magnetic filaments and traced complex gas motions at the Milky Way's center, probed the Universe's cosmological parameters, and provided new knowledge about the physical mechanisms that produce radio emission.

The very large array is a very long drive from the freeway...Is it worth it? Yes I think so but be ready for a three hour commitment minimum (1 hour there, 1 hour at the Array and 1 hour back to the freeway). This experience will includes a small interpretive center, a walking trail to one of the radio telescopes, and a peek into the telescope maintenance shed.It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a working scientific equipment up close..Tips.First off there is misleading and conflicting information on taking pictures here. Phone cameras are not allowed and must be turned off. Tho when you read the expanded rules in the bathroom you can use your phone for a quick picture. Regular cameras are okay (Nikon, Canon, etc). This place closes as dusk. But the gift shop closes at 4:30. You come at 4:39 and you're here for free. The main building and surrounding area will remain open and unlocked until security comes by and chases any stragglers away when it's dark.We came at about 5pm and the sun was setting and when we left at 6pm is was almost dark . We were the only people here..

The Very Large Array (VLA) is one of the absolutely coolest places I've ever visited. It is a must stop for anyone interested in astronomy, engineering or even just a place to ponder what is out there. The VLA address says Socorro, New Mexico but it is located 50 miles west of Socorro. The GPS coordinates are 34 04'43.497N, 107 37'05.819W The drive feels like you are driving out in the middle of nowhere. In total, it is a two-hour drive from Albuquerque. (The Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Center that is a cool place to visit on the way). I stayed in the small town of Magdalena. It is a good place to spend the night and have dinner. Like other Yelpers have mentioned, if you have seen the movie Contact, you will immediately recognize the radio telescopes when you come up over the last hill. There is a small fee to do the tour and center. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet, since the US won't make the switch to metric) in diameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically to give the resolution of each antenna into one big picture. You can take the self-guided walking tour to see a telescope close up. There are signs on the self-guided tour are easy to understand and give you an understanding of what the telescopes do and how they work. There is a nice Visitor Center with amazing exhibits describing radio astronomy and the VLA telescope and show a documentary narrated by Jodie Foster. They even have a gift shop offers cool VLA souvenirs and educational materials.I recommend the VLA. It is such a magical mystical experience seeing how huge the radio telescopes really are. Also, just being out in the quiet is relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time. Bring water and snacks so you can picnic in the area. I really enjoyed the entire trip and I hope you will, too!

On open house day, I had a reservation for 2pm. It wasn't enough time to do much other than a self guided tour and the gift shop. There's 2 buildings to see as well so get there early because you'll probably need 3 hours. I appreciated the food and coffee trailers after the long drive there. A science staff member gave the tour to about 50 people in each group. Being a guide or speaker was not his skill set. He spoke softly answering one guy's questions while the group followed and heard nothing upon arrival to each point of interest. A lot of people stated their frustration and decided to do a self guided tour instead. Most staff were kind and knowledgeable. There was an older gray haired woman driving a Kawasaki mule that was loud, rude, and obnoxious. I could tell other staff are annoyed by her belligerence. At 3:15pm, she was at the food and medic station and yells, "ok! It's time to get these people the hell out of here. We are closing," and started telling folks to leave 40 minutes before close as she drove maniacally. Unfortunately, my recollection of this idiot will stain my memory.

I decided to take the road less traveled... ... and found THIS!!! Really Truly no words can describe how I felt at this moment... I'm on this road trip for six weeks and this was my second day. I spent the first night in Truth or Consequences (which I highly suggest and enjoy the hot springs!) so I decided to go west from Socorro instead going up to ABQ. I was just driving along and I see a sign "The Very Large Array Visitors Center". I thought in my head "What's that?" and kept driving... then I saw these huge dish satellites... and a place to pull over so I stopped. There were some bicyclers that had stopped for a break. I asked them what it was. I didn't get a good answer. I asked them could this be from the movie "Contact" and I got a shrug. Oh hell, I'm turning around... I have to check out what this is... I traveling alone and don't really have a deadline to be anywhere... I had no phone reception out in the middle of nowhere (and I have AT&T) so I couldn't 'check in' to Yelp or check what this was about. So two miles back, then another mile or two to the visitor's center. Signs are asking you to turn off your phones when you arrive. I walk into the doors and I see pictures of the movie "Contact" ... and I start crying! I LOVE CONTACT! I can't believe I'M HERE!!! Bon Jovi's video and album cover for Crush was also filmed here as many other have also been...* NOTE * if you stop by on the first Sat of the month, they open the doors to have a look inside the control room... so maybe one day I'll plan my trip accordingly. also on a side note to this story, over the past month, a new friend and I had started bonding over Ancient Aliens and other stories so it was just weird coincidence / serendipity that this happened to me.... just so amazing that I'M HERE!!! Of course I'm going to pay your cover charge to walk around the grounds and watch your movie in the little theater... and of course I'm going to buy stuff in your gift shop! The dishes even turned positions while I was there... and I got to see fighter jets fly above while snapped photos. This visit was unreal and surreal. Bucket List Check! ... and I didn't know it was on there! Loved it!

Mind blowing. Fascinating explanation of how the universe is being understood and its presented in a way that's easy to understand but engaging. Great for kids or adults.